ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/22 October) – A three-year-old boy was hit by a stray bullet in a firefight initiated by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits on Wednesday in Patikul, Sulu.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the firefight erupted around 2:30 p.
m. Wednesday in Barangay Sandah, Patikul.
Arrojado identified the boy as Gasfer Suhudan, whose forehead was grazed by a bullet.
The official said the firefight ensued after Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team members led by Sandah Barangay Chair Jairulla Jawari fought back when the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Ninok Sapari attacked them.
Arrojado said Sapari’s group, who positioned at Patikul Hill, fled westward after a 15-minute gunfight when soldiers arrived.
He said the wounded boy was taken to the headquarters of the 35th Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company in Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, for medication.
